Improvement in artificial limbs



G. L, vRID-'SDALE'l Artificial Limb. g 10.197,741. Patentednec. 4,1877.` Fly 1. n Fig a.

marins. noTo-umosmmen, msnmcfofi. nv al of sole-leather, shaped upon lasts UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIGE.

GEORGEL. RIDSDALE, OF MARINETTE, WISCON SIN.

IMPROVEMENT IN ARTIFICIAL LIMBS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 197,741, dated December 4, 1877; application iiled July 20,1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE L. RLDSDALE, of the town of Marinette, county of Oconto, State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Construction or Manufacture of Artificial Limbs, which irnprovement is fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing.

The object of my invention is to manufacture the feet of artificial limbs at less expense and in a more durable, convenient, and elastic form, by the use of thick leather, commonly called sole-leather, in their construction.

Figure 1 is a full-length section of artificial leg, as used in thigh amputations. Fig'. 2 shows front section of knee-joint in same. Fig. 3 shows section of leg as used in amputations below the knee; and Fig. 4 shows section of foot at line A A, Figs. 1 and 3.

The foot portion is made solid (with the exception of an opening left to receive a spring) by peggin g, fastening, or sewing pieces of soleleather together on edge lengthwise of the foot, as shown in Fig. 4, and at A A in Figs. l and 2, and then covering with'this leather.

The other portions of the leg are also made and sewed strongly together in any convenient way, form, or manner to suit circiunstances, as shown at B B B in Figs. 1 and 3.

or blocks,

The parts G C C, in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, are

made solid by securing together several layers 4which being also of leather, can at any time be made smaller, to accommodate the shrinkage of the stump, thus overcoming one great objection to limbs made of other material.

I do not vclaim the piece of wood F F F in Figs. l, 2, 'and 3, or the spring G, as shown in Fig. 1, or the method of combining them, nor do I claim broadly making an artificial limb gf leather, for I am aware that is not new 5 What I claim as my improvement in the construction of articial limbs of leather, is-

An improved foot for artificial limbs, composed of the united strips of sole-leather A, covered in the usual way with a thin leather cover, A', substantially as described.

GEORGE L. RIDSDALE.

Witnessesz' AMos HOLGATE, H. O. FAIRCHILD. 

